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Severed Barbie doll heads on a car antenna. A grass field covered with plastic forks. A guy setting his hair on fire. There's nothing more captivating than seeing an image on the internet that leaves us a little speechless and a lot confused. We might have no idea where these cursed scenarios came from, but there's one thing they all have in common. They make us feel seriously uneasy.

Just take a look at the Cursed Image Dealer Instagram account. A project that has amassed more than 194K followers and is full of bizarre, weird, and straight-up disturbing pictures that grab your attention and not let go. While we can’t help but wonder why on earth they exist in the first place, their oddness fascinates us nonetheless.

We have collected some of the most intriguing posts the account had to offer, so continue scrolling and let us know what you think about them in the comments below. And if you’re in the mood for some more images with no context whatsoever, be sure to check out our previous posts about them right here and here.

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"The 'cursed image' is an internet phenomenon," Frank T. McAndrew, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Knox College, told Bored Panda. "It is an image that is unsettling because there is something not quite right about it, but we often cannot pinpoint exactly why it is so disturbing." 

"It may combine things that should not go together (a cherry pie with a bleeding human face baked into it?) or it presents an object in a context where it does not belong," the professor continued. As for why they make us feel uncomfortable, he explained that we do not like uncertainty. "We like to make sense of the world around us, and things that defy our expectations or things that are difficult to categorize throw us off our game."

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#4

Happy 36th Birthday To Her

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JJ
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Relatable. We were "celebrating" our grandpa's birthday when the first plane crashed the first tower.

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Yet, many people enjoy watching such creepy scenarios while mindlessly scrolling through their social media feeds. "People who are tolerant of ambiguity or open to new experiences may be drawn to them because they offer a pleasant diversion from normality and present us with a cognitive puzzle to solve," he added, saying that others simply find them unpleasant.

"We are programmed by evolution to intently focus on unexpected or unusual things in our environment. It is essential to determine if such things pose some sort of threat to us or not, and cursed images hijack the part of our brain that is responsible for protecting us," McAndrew noted. 

#6

So I’m Getting ~200 Followers A Day And ~190 Unfollows A Day. How Are So Many People Unfollowing? I’ve Never Had So Many People Unfollow So Consistently. Like My Net Gain Is At ~10 Per Day. If I Gained 10 Followers Per Day And Got To How Many I Have Now, It Would Take Over 45 Years. And The Amount Of Unfollows Per Day Is Eerily Close To The Amounts Of Follows. Like If I Gain Followers I Loose Just As Much. Something Is Wrong. It’s Either The Content I’m Posting Is Bad, There’s A Glitch In The Algorithm, Or I’m Shadowbanned. I Was Wondering If Any Of You Guys Would Know?
#unsettling #cursedimages #ghostly #cursedimagedealer

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Vera
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Hello, do you have a minute to talk about our lord and saviour?"

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To learn more about the Cursed Image Dealer project and the inspiration behind it, we reached out to the creator of this Instagram account who was kind enough to have a little chat about it. They revealed that they started this meme account at the end of their sophomore year of high school. "I thought cursed images were cool and a not very well saturated area of the 'market' so it was a perfect theme," they told Bored Panda. 

While they don’t remember the exact reason behind creating this page, they mentioned that they "wanted clout" and a meme account "is pretty easy to run as opposed to me becoming a traditional influencer." 

"I had a feeling it would become popular and, for some reason, I have a strong memory of telling a girl in my class who I wanted to be friends with that I started one and she seemed extremely uninterested," the creator added, wondering if she would care now when the account has amassed so many followers.

#8

Having This Account Is So Weird And Bizarre To Me. In A Really Cool Way Though. I Have Big Meme Accounts I Followed In Like Middle School Following Me Now, And I’ve Grown Beyond Some Of Them Even. I Have A Big Producer I’ve Been A Fan Of Since 8th Grade Following Me, And A Lot Of What Seems To Be Up And Coming Artists. I’m Buddies With A Bunch Of Other Meme Accounts Who Are Really Cool And Nice But Not Even In My Niche. I Feel Like I’m Famous Lite, But More I Feel Lucky To Be Apart Of This Weird Little Community. And Having A Meme Account With 155k!? In High School!? That’s Wild. If It Wasn’t For This Account I Wouldn’t Have Found My Boyfriend. I’d Probably Have None Of This If It Weren’t For My Followers. So, Idk Why I’m Feeling So Sentimental, But Thanks.
#unsettling #cursedimages #ghostly #cursedimagedealer

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David Martin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we just take a moment to address the giant, naked Jesus puppet hanging from the ceiling there? That's really the cherry on top of this Yikes Sundae

Angelar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The room seems to be captured in Cuba, by photographer Jeffrey Milstein - I think the Cuban woman had no idea she would be ending on BP... https://www.artsy.net/artwork/jeffrey-milstein-200-saints-trinidad-cuba

September
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm an atheist. I used to be a militant atheist in my younger days, probably still would be but thankfully society is changing. The woman in the photo is elderly. She no doubt has been inured to this belief system since early childhood. At her age she has lost many friends and family she loved very much and clings to a hope of reuniting with them after death in some heaven. Although I do find it all misguided and creepy I certainly wouldn't attack her for or try to dissuade her from her beliefs. That would just be an unnecessary cruelty.

ᴠᴀ̈ɪɴᴏ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH MY F*****G GAWD SO MANY CROSSES! IS THIS THE PARADISE OF A DAMN EXORCIST

JustAnother Soul
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too much with the depictions of death and horrific torture.

Ruth Larson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freestanding JC in the corner needs some clothes… a miniskirt or a diaper, maybe

Knut Nielsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s probably unaware that both God and Jesus will find her obsessive and annoying, so they’ll stay clear!

Jane Alexander
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She, like so many others, missed the point. The symbol should be of an empty tomb with a stone rolled away. Anyone can die. He overcame it.

Octavia Hansen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus came to town with 3 nails and asked, "Can you put me up for the night?"

Adria Rhodes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're not going to talk about life size, naked Jesus in the corner??

Jamie Grant
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is going on toward the foot of the bed... just under her legs?

Lily Mackay
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look I was gonna make a joke but... This this is unhealthy. What's with the the obsession

Logan Duffy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

boi when somebody told this grandma to go get jesus she replied"how much?"

veronica bingham
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What type of behaviour is she seeking redemption from by having so many crosses?

Jag Yu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

im catholic so this doesnt really bother me too much, but this old lady must be scared of something.

Andy Hinds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like the kind of room that would stay freezing cold with the heating full on.

Susanna Scott
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The posable naked Jesus is really just pushing it don't you think? 🤣😭

Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one's a bit much. My Mom collects religious Icon art, but hers is a bit more tastefully displayed.

Bobby Sammons
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Local woman found dead after earthquake knows all the crucifix's off wall

Nat Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her Blowup doll watches over her as she sleeps after an exhaustive night of "Love making"!

Alessa Gillespie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first guess would be that the person who sleeps in this room is possessed

Donna Rakowiecki
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She must've done something really terrible to think she needs that many crosses to go to heaven

Terry Waters
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the heck is up with the Jesus marionette. That's next level creepy.

Hugh Walter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On your way back from the grocers, could you pop into the crucifixers and get me another extra-large!

PotatoPretty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last thing you notice is someone actually sleeping on the bed!

GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This poor woman must live in a state of constant fear. I wonder what country she lives in.

John Baker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Five will get you ten this was taken somewhere in Latin America.

Duncan Rogers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does she not know that statue isn't who she thinks its supposed to be. Cause that is John Lennon mannequin

Eucritta
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen plenty of houses full of pop cultural kipple. For all we know, she collects Catholic paraphernalia the way some collect glass animals, or Star Wars action figures, or model dinosaurs.

Paul Woods
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I waiting for her to sit up and her head to go all the way around.

Beck
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez grandma! What did your do ? Is the devil himself coming for your for whatever you did???

Damon
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, all of these comments are very insensitive . That old lady isn’t that gross

Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could stay one night in that room, except for that life size Jesus Puppet From Hêll next to the bed.

Buren
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Put away the clothes! Argh! And yes, no one can bribe me to enter this room.

bonez olinger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol She got a Jesus sex doll thank you bored panda you just helped me pick the best gift ever for my gay homie

Jesus Christ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh you love me sooo much?😍im a f*****g..pretty princess! that room is trashy though -jesus

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While Instagram is the unofficial home of avocado toasts, latte foam art, and carefully staged aesthetics, people there truly seem to enjoy the disturbing posts others share. "I think people like seeing cursed images because there is a sort of shock factor to the good ones," they told us. 

"The classic images are confusing and a little unsettling because you can’t really tell what is going on in them, and people's minds try and fill in the blanks," they explained. "I think they scare some people in the same ambiguous way people have a fear of the dark; they don’t understand what is being hidden from them." 

The curator of the account mentioned that they don’t like traditional gory shock videos but enjoy the subtle images they post. "I feel like there is an almost intellectual quality to them" since people online could try to analyze the "aura" behind them. "In a way, they almost seem to be an extension of the Creepypasta trend in the early 2010s."

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#13

Mom #unsettling #cursedimages #ghostly #cursedimagedealer

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Julia Atkinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very disturbing - please repaint the house before the neighbours start to complain

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When asked about their followers, they revealed that sometimes they can be quite active and engaged in their content, and other times the creator feels a bit ignored. "I’ve noticed a trend I find to be very unusual," they said. "When I first started, my account grew slowly [and] pretty steady until I started getting close to 100K." 

"It started skyrocketing and I remember getting like a thousand new followers every few days," they even mentioned a point where they received this number of new joiners every day. "It was crazy." 

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After celebrating it with their friends and teachers, the growth of this account slowed down, and the creator is not exactly sure why. They guessed that cursed images might be losing their popularity or their account might be shadowbanned since their peers are finding themselves in a similar situation. 

"You’d think a large account like this one should be able to consistently gain followers", but that’s not the case. Still, they wanted to make it clear that they’re not at all complaining. They even asked their followers about this and many replied that they still enjoy their content, which every creator is truly happy to hear. 

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When it comes to finding such bizarre and slightly off-putting images, they almost entirely found all of their content on the Cursed Images subreddit once the account started. "But as I went, my sense of what makes a cursed image vs a [trashpost] became more refined" and they started noticing that many of the pictures on this online group were starting to become a bit low-effort. 

"I’m sad because the subreddit used to be a great place to get images from," they added. "But as they grew in popularity, they shifted away from images that were actually cursed into … typical shock pictures." The creator hasn’t been back there in a while and has moved to other places to look for new content. 

#24

What’s Ur Favorite Dipping Sauce? I Like Ranch
#unsettling #cursedimages #ghostly #cursedimagedealer

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CATMONSTER2018
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaaaadventure Time! Come on grab yo-ur friends. We'll go to ve-ry dis-tant lands.

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Still, they are very glad they started this account. "[It] has changed my life. A lot of people who I admire follow me on here, and I’m lucky to be able to talk to them," they added. "Not to mention the wonderful friends I’ve made as well. It’s honestly wild to think about." 

#27

I Need New Content Sources
#unsettling #cursedimages #ghostly #cursedimagedealer

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Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This became less scary when I realised the guy probably stuck some dentures on his nose as a prank.

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Their personal goal in life "is to lead an interesting and unique one, and I think growing into adulthood with this account is definitely a good start." The creator is thrilled to be having this experience, and while they may not know whether "it’s a big deal to other people, it is to me," they concluded.

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#31

Thank You For The Support Last Night I Got Some Sleep It Was 4 Hours But At Least It’s Something I Think I Know What To Do Now And I’m Doing Things To Improve My Sleep Health

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Friday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this is a nightmare for the owner, but it is stunning!

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#33

In The 70’s There Were Reports Coming From A Small Town In Ohio Of Livestock Mysteriously Going Missing. Some Suspected Wolves. Then People Started Vanishing As Well. People Didn’t Know What To Do. Then, Early One Fall Morning, An Unidentified Young Girl Walked Out Of The Forest, Dragging The Beast Behind Her. The Government Was Called In And They Dismembered The Beast. The Whole Thing Was Classified Until Recently, But This Was The Only Picture Released To The Public. It Is Of The Girl Holding One Of The Dismembered Legs.
#cursedimage #strange #cursed #cursedimagedealer

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ᴠᴀ̈ɪɴᴏ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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#58

Sleigh! Sleigh!!!!!!!!!

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IrrelevantNonsense
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

˙˙ǝʞɐʍɐ ǝɹ’noʎ uǝɥʍ sʍouʞ ǝɥ˙…ƃuᴉdǝǝls ǝɹ’noʎ uǝɥʍ noʎ sǝǝs ǝH

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#61

Do You Have Instagram Dark Mode Yet?
#unsettling #cursedimages #ghostly #cursedimagedealer

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CATMONSTER2018
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Diiiiiiid the kid get a face-painting? >(Then the water mixed it up)

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#66

Why Does Spotify Seem So Hell Bent On Promoting The Most Bland, Sterile, And Formulaic Music Possible!? How The Fuck Am I Supposed To Find Something New I Like When Everything Sounds Exactly The Same. Even Their Official Playlist For Hyperpop (Not The One With Ag Cook, That Ones Good); It’s All Like Edgy Depressing Songs Which Is Not All That Hyperpop Is But It’s Like They’re Trying To Say “This Alt Stuff Is Edgy And Depressing You Should Just Listen To Normal Music” Like Wtf. Also There Was A Thing Where Dua Lipa Released An Album Or Song Or Something Right Before Spotify Did Their End Of The Year Stuff And Her Days Old Music Made It Onto Those Playlists Somehow? How Were They Gonna Say Those Brand New Songs Were Best Of The Year Or Most Streamed Or Whatever When They Probably Only Had A Fraction Of The Streams Of Her Other Songs Which Have Been Published For Months Now... Suspicious As Fuck If U Ask Me

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#83

Cursed

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sheer commitment and will that went into creating this is terrifying

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#90

Apologies To The 82 People Who Unfollowed Me Due To What I Posted Yesterday. I’m Sorry You Followed This Account Expecting Shitposts And Not Cursed Images ❤️

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Gaya Knust
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooooh, makes me want to read again the Search and Rescue officer's posts (on reddit) about the stairs in the words and other things he witnessed in his work!!!

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#92

This Is So Funny To Me Idk 😭
image Credit (I Think??) @/Vanilla On Lineblog

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get why people photoshop themselves with tiny heads. It's really common, just not sure why

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#93

The Post With The Selfies Wasn’t Supposed To Be Me Transitioning The Account Like I Was Talking About, I Was Just Posting What I Felt Like. Trying To Think Of The Best Way To Shout Out My Personal Again

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Miss Edie, as long as there are chicken layin' and truck drivin' and my feet walkin', you can be sure that l will bring you the finest of the fine, the largest of the large and the whitest of the white. ln other words, that thin-shelled ovum of the domestic fowl will never be safe as long as there are chicken layin' and l'm alive because l am your eggman and there ain't a better one in town!"

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